Hi, does anyone know any summer engineering internships and/or summer programs for community college students who are about to enter their sophomore year?
I’m currently about to enter my freshman year of college and I’m interested in attending a summer internship/program for engineering. I’ve been looking all over the internet and so far I’ve found only one program that’s directed towards CCC students, which is the Berkeley TTE Summer research program. All the others are directed toward high school students or rising college juniors or seniors.
So does anyone know any summer engineering internships for transfer students? Specifically in California. Thanks
You may need to directly reach out to companies rather than relying on web sites or school placement offices.
Consider contacting smaller and medium sized engineering companies. There are a zillion of them in California, scattered around the state and covering every imaginable field of engineering. Interns at these types of companies often get the opportunity to work on projects way above their pay grade as well as have the opportunity to see the product development cycle in all its phases (unlike a mega corporation where you might end up testing a single component or extracting data for three solid months).
How to find such companies? Ask your neighbors or CC instructors if they know of any. You can also look on job boards for “engineering jobs in Redding” (insert your local area). Companies that have openings for full time engineers may be struggling to fill those positions, especially in places outside of Silicon Valley or LA. They may be especially interested in bringing in a talented local college student.
Local Rotary Clubs are another resource.
One suggestion: before you contact any company, do your research and find out what they make or do. Seems like an obvious thing to do but a stunning number of applicants (not just interns) fail to do this.
PS. Sending you a PM
Bigger companies will be recruiting out of 4 years because those students have greater access to clubs (experience) and can take major classes right away which can’t be done at a CC as readily if at all. I would focus on smaller local companies and apply or reach out directly. You’ll have a tough time otherwise until you transfer. It’s already tough for 4 year students that are first or second years.
Very good advice by @Otterma. This is how I obtained my internship in college, which became a full-time job afterwards.